by Jenifer Davis

This is a story of seven brothers
We had the same father but different mothers
We keep together like a family should
Roaming the country for the common good
It came to pass one fateful day
We found ourselves down Mexico way
The town, the mayor, the P.T.A.
Pleading on their knees with us all to stay

The sun was low in the sky when the seven riders entered the town. It's inhabitants stood outside their mudstone houses, watching in awe as the odd assortment of men dismounted in front of the saloon and entered. No one was sure whether to breathe a sigh of relief or run screaming in the opposite direction in panic. These men were to be their saviors, yet they hardly looked different from the gunmen terrorizing them.

The mayor of the small town straightened his collar, looked to the three men with him for support, them followed the seven men into the building. They had taken up residence in the corner, several bottles of whiskey between them, though the youngest was drinking something that looked suspiciously like milk. As they watched the mustached man said something to earn a retort from the kid, who in turn, ducked a swipe at his head. The odd hat he wore flew across the room, much to the amusement of the giant who sat with them.

Gathering his courage, the mayor approached their table. Yet before he even opened his mouth, the fancy-dressed man spoke. "Gentlemen, I do believe these gentlemen are those with whom Mr. Travis wished us to acquaint ourselves."

Three sets of eyes blinked in response as the dark-skinned man rolled his own. Assuming the speech was his cue, the mayor began again, this time to be interrupted by the kid, who had retrieved his hat. "Now, Buck, what's wrong with my hat? It's just like-"

"-the one Bat Masterson wore..." All of his companions except the blond wearing all black finished his sentence. But he even cracked a smile as the rest chuckled over the comment.

As the snickers died down, the mayor tried again…only to close his mouth as another wave of laughter passed over the men. It was quickly becoming apparent that these were no ordinary men.

"Ladies," the gunslinger in black growled, "quiet down."

We'd only stopped for a few burritos
But they told us of the trouble with los banditos
A poor little town in need of aid
My brothers and me had never been afraid
The age of chivalry is not dead
Lonesome nights in a cowboy bed
There'd be a bride for every man
Who chased away the evil gang
Love is stronger than justice
Love is thicker than blood
Love, love, love is stronger than justice
Love is a big fat river in flood

Certain that he now had their attention, the mayor launched into a lengthy explanation of the bandits who had been forcing the town to hand over their money and crops. The village was poor enough as it was, they were farmers not warriors, there was only one way in which they would be able to repay the gunslingers.

"Day after tomorrow."

"Well, boys, let's get ready."

The outcome was predictable
Our banditos were despicable
Of blood we lost a dozen litres
A small price to pay for los señoritas
The town mayor was happy, but his face was glum
The maidens numbered only one
There weren't seven brides for seven brothers
I knew I had to get rid of the others
Love is stronger than justice
Love is thicker than blood
Love, love, love is stronger than justice
Love is a big fat river in flood

When the seven reentered the town, they immediately noticed the subdued air. "Figured they'd at least be happy," The ladies man grumbled as he dismounted.

The mayor of the small burg was scared, unsure of just how to broach the subject of payment with the gunslingers. It wasn't going to work, they knew that now. Things hadn't turned out as expected. Oh, the bandits were all dead, but now these gunslingers could become a problem all their own.

"Gentlemen, we are grateful for your help in this matter..."

Mother told me I was the clever one
The seventh son of a seventh son
It all ended so happily
I settled down with the family
I look forward to a better day
But ethical stuff never got in my way
And though there used to be brothers seven
The other six are singing in heaven
For love is stronger than justice
Love is thicker than blood
Love, love, love is stronger than justice
Love is a big fat river in flood

The seven men rode out of town, none of them very happy with the turn of events.

"Now guys," the ladies man spoke. "Maybe I should go back and look after the little lady. After all it's not her fault..."

The glares turned on him were evidence enough that they didn't support his idea. Their journey continued in silence.

Unbeknownst to them, however, an enemy followed in their wake. As they stopped and made their camp at duck, it was easy for him to pick them off one by one.

First was the ladies man, he would be the easiest to approach. And easy it was to slit his throat at the creek, once he got past the ethics of it all. Luck continued in his favor, no sooner was the first man down than the gambler came down the footpath. He could tell the other man had an idea something was wrong, the dead man's legs on the path were sign enough. As the worried friend rushed past, he covered the gambler's mouth with one hand and shoved the knife up between his ribs. Two down, this was easier than he expected.

First was the ladies man, he would be the easiest to approach. And easy it was to slit his throat at the creek, once he got past the ethics of it all. Luck continued in his favor, no sooner was the first man down than the gambler came down the footpath. He could tell the other man had an idea something was wrong, the dead man's legs on the path were sign enough. As the worried friend rushed past, he covered the gambler's mouth with one hand and shoved the knife up between his ribs. Two down, this was easier than he expected.

When all was done a single rider was seen approaching the town. Astounded, the mayor came running to him. "You,...you're..."

"We were ambushed." It was the truth for the most part. He easily slung h is leg over his horse and dropped to the ground. "I understand you have something for me."

The mayor motioned to the young woman behind him, unsure of what to think. As the came forward and removed her veil...

...the youngest looked into the face of the ugliest woman he had ever seen.

Love is stronger than justice
Love is thicker than blood
Love, love, love is stronger than justice
Love is a big fat river in flood
Love is a big fat river in flood

Awakening with a start, JD lay quietly before opening his eyes. As his heart rate finally began to slow, he let his eyes open and looked around him. Every possible, and some not intentionally meant for that purpose, seat in the room held a familiar sleeping body. Breathing a sigh of relief, he tried to run a hand down his face. But a twinge of pain in his hand stopped him, coupled with his dry throat he quickly realized why this unfamiliar room, seemed so familiar.

Great, a hospital. He glanced up to see Yul Brenner and his posse ride into a Mexican town on the TV screen, reminding him of the dream. Gotta tell the doc to lay off the drugs.

One more glance around himself to make sure his friends were really there, along with a pinch to make sure he wasn't dreaming this time, and he settled in to watch the movie. How can the guys sleep through a great movie like this?

The End